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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Development of a Neonatal Rat Model for Brachial Plexus Birth Injury
Published on: March 27, 2026
Primary and secondary shoulder reconstruction in obstetric brachial plexus palsy
Julia K Terzis1, Zinon T Kokkalis
1Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, LH 2055, Norfolk, VA 23501, USA. mrc1@erols.com
Objectives:
In this retrospective review, the methods and outcomes in 96 children (98 extremities) with obstetric brachial plexus palsy who underwent primary reconstruction and/or palliative surgery for shoulder function were analysed.
Methods:
Thirty cases underwent primary reconstruction alone, 37 underwent both primary and secondary procedures, and 31 late cases underwent only palliative surgery. The mean follow-up period was 6.7 years.
Results:
The mean shoulder abduction increased from 48 degrees +/-32 degrees preoperatively to 123 degrees +/-35 degrees postoperatively (average gain 75 degrees ); the mean active external rotation with the arm at the side increased from -19 degrees +/-17 degrees to 62 degrees +/-21 degrees (mean gain 81 degrees ); and the mean aggregate Mallet score improved from 8.8 points to 20.9 points, respectively.
Conclusions:
Reconstruction of both axillary and suprascapular nerves yielded improved outcomes of shoulder abduction and external rotation. Early plexus reconstruction (
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